http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
Let's hope the bad weather stays away long enough tonight so that we can get all of the games in and get everybody home in time before the roads get slippery.
We've got eight quarterfinal-round games tonight, all in Class 3A and A, and four more tomorrow in 4A.
Here's how we see them turning out:
CLASS 3A
Wilson 48, Salisbury 40 -- It's extremely difficult to beat the same team four times in a season, especially a team with as many offensive weapons as the Falcons. But the Warriors clearly have Salisbury's number and continually come up with the defensive schemes to shut them down.
CCHS 68, Tamaqua 43 -- Many people thought the Vikings would be playing Northern Lehigh in this spot, until Tamaqua pulled the surprise on Tuesday night. The Raiders' Brett Kosciolek is one of the area's best sophomores and will probably get his points, but CCHS is clearly the better team here.
Pottsville 60, Lehighton 38 -- The Indians have carved out a nice story and should be a major factor in the 2013-14 season, but this year's story is likely to end here as the Tide plays superb defense.
Bethlehem Catholic 55, Blue Mountain 53 -- In all likelihood, this is the most competitive game in this bracket. The Eagles are always tough and scrappy and hustle. They have beaten Salisbury by 13 and Northampton by 19 this year. But the Golden Hawks were able to beat Liberty and Easton late in the regular season, so they are used to quality competition. Just making districts has been very significant for Becahi. A win here to garner two more games would really signify the return of this once proud program.
CLASS A
Pius X 54, Nativity 44 -- The Royals have tremendous talent, but the Schuylkill County teams tend to slow them down.
Mahanoy Area 45, Moravian Academy 32 -- Great coaching matchup. Mickey Holland vs. John Donmoyer. Two of the best District 11 has ever seen. Look for the Lions to come back strong next year.
Marian Catholic 51, Shenandoah 48 -- They have met twice before, both very close games. Expect this one to be decided late as well.
Lincoln Leadership 53, Salem Christian 45 -- Lincoln beat Salem by 12 in December. No reason to think this one will go differently.
CLASS 4A
Parkland 63, Bangor 54 -- The Trojans better come to play and not think "Oh, this is just a Colonial League team." The Slaters will play with confidence and kind of loose since they won the Colonial title and few people expect them to win here. Parkland should be able to establish more of an inside game than usual because the Slaters are not big. But it ultimately comes down to the outside shooting with Parkland in every game.
Pocono Mountain West 60, Stroudsburg 53 -- I was impressed with the Mounties on Wednesday night, especially their resiliency. They can get up and down the floor, but so can the Panthers, who probably feel this is their time of year.
Freedom 53, Easton 49 -- I've been on Freedom all year. Picked the Pates to win the LVC, picked them to beat Parkland last week in the LVC semis and they have come up just short. In terms of big games, Easton has a much better history. But again, I go back to the talent level and Freedom has more of it than the Rovers. But it's going to come down to making foul shots and makeable inside shots late. Will they go down this time for the Pates?
Liberty 52, Emmaus 43 -- The Hurricanes were on such a roll last week that they probably didn't want the week off. The Green Hornets are dangerous, and I can envision flashbacks to that amazing Emmaus upset over an unbeaten Parkland team in 2002 at Dieruff. But if Liberty can maintain the momentum it had against CCHS and Parkland in the LVC tournament, the Green Hornets figure to be overmatched.
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